A university is hoping to turn a journalist from a hack into boffin in six months, opening its doors to give them an in-depth look at the world of scientific research.

The University of Nottingham is looking for a willing journalist to ’embed’ themselves in its Science, Medicine and Engineering faculties for six months.

The volunteer will spend time with scientists, engineers, professors and their lab teams as they conduct research. The aim is to get a detailed understanding that is not normally possible with the pressure of newsdesk deadlines.

They will then have to write up their findings and win over fellow journalists with their stories.

As an incentive to an editor to agree to the sabbatical, the university is offering to pay the wages of the journalist for the six months.

Jonathan Ray, the university’s director of media and public relations, said the hope was that the chosen journalist would pick up an expert insight. This, in turn, would help get the scientists’ message across and give the writer a much broader understanding to take back to their paper.

A wide variety of research projects is currently under way, including work on tissue engineering, understanding how bacteria work in a bid to find cures, and producing manufacturing equipment – such as a drill that can cut a hole through a human hair.

Jonathan said: “We are hoping to find someone who could explain why this is important and what its application could be in the wider world.

“There is a lot of really interesting stuff going on so it’s a real goldmine.

“Some of the work is phenomenally complicated so it will be nice to have someone working from within.”

He added: “A lot of journalists know what is is like to be a general reporter when you try to be an expert in everything and not get the chance to dig down into a story.

“We are very open-minded about who we are looking for – any age, background, weekly or daily.

“But it needs to be someone who their editor is prepared to release.”

The journalist will also be encouraged to attend lectures, seminars and demonstrations and will be expected to lead a seminar or submit an academic paper at the end of their Fellowship, demonstrating how their work and experience has raised awareness of science and innovation in society.

It is hoped they will also help to improve scientists’ understanding of media and journalistic methods and research and disseminate information in support of Nottingham: Science City, of which the university is a partner.

Anyone interested in taking part should e-mail [email protected]. It is hoped that the journalist will join the university in September for the start of the new academic year.